Metro Dade Firefighters Battle For Their Jobs

Adrien Cegora stood outside Miami Beach City Hall yesterday with a crease in his brow. The fit firefighter wore a red Metro-Dade T-shirt, along with about 50 of his co-workers. They hoped to send city commissioners a message: Indian Creek and Surfside? That's our territory.

Commissioner Victor Diaz lead the city commission discussion. The question: Should Surfside and Indian Creek be allowed to contract Miami Beach Fire Department? The tiny, well-off municipalities are now covered by Metro Dade Fire Department, and would save money by using the Beach's services. Miami Beach would make some money, too. "It's a very delicate question," Diaz told a full room. "There's an immediate financial benefit for our city, but at the same time we have a relationship with [the Metro Dade Department]"

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Indian Creek Mayor Robert Diener explained the village only experiences only a couple fires per year. Considering the numbers, his residents end up paying far more taxes than necessary, he says. "We're paying a million a year for minimal [county] services."

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett added it could cut his town's costs in half "every time a fire truck rolls in."

It's unclear how many layoffs would ensue. Metro-Dade Fire Department Chief Stan Hills warned against it for other reasons. "We're fragmenting a system that has been carefully planned," he said. "We're going against the national grain."

Commissioners took no action. The discussion will likely continue next meeting. It's set for June 3.